I have a confession to make. I’m afraid. Not all of the time, but more moments than I care to admit. I’m not afraid of the big things, like what will happen to me when I die. I know I’m going to heaven to be with Jesus.
Since I’m being honest, the things I’m afraid of are more the small, day to day things that keep me from the abundant life Jesus talked about. When it’s coyote season (yes, there is such a thing here in Southern California!) I’m afraid to walk my favorite horse trails that wind in and around my city. I’m afraid of leaving my small dogs outside once the sun goes down because that’s when the coyotes roam the neighborhoods looking for dinner.
I’m afraid I won’t know when it’s time to dress and act my age, whatever that means. What if I’m no longer able to sing with my worship team? I’m afraid I’ll forget the words to my favorite song or scripture at exactly the moment I need them.
I’m afraid the plants I planted last summer won’t come back once winter is gone and the air and ground becomes warm again. And what if those stupids moles destroy the entire yard I’ve worked so hard on for the last two years?
In the grand scheme of things, the things that make me afraid really shouldn’t. And it’s not like I spend my days cowering in a corner or shivering like my dogs do when they know we’re on the way to the vet for a check up. The things that frighten me are just small whispers in the back of my head. They are little things that, if I allow them to, could become large things that will stunt my spiritual growth.
There is a writer whose books have absolutely changed my prayer life over the years. His name is Frank E. Peretti. His book, “This Present Darkness” and the follow up, “Piercing The Darkness” are novels written based on the scripture found in Ephesians 6:12:
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Peretti’s writing reminds me that there is more going on every day than I’m aware of. God and His angels are at war against Satan and his demons with the very souls of mankind at stake. Jesus’ death and resurrection bought and paid in full the debt of my sin. As a child of God, I’m covered by the blood of Jesus. I’m protected by His holy army. But I have a part to play as well.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:10-11
What I love is that Paul is very clear and precise about what he means when he says to put on God’s armor:
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. – Ephesians 6:13-18
See, my small fears really don’t have a chance when I’m fitted with God’s armor! In reality, my struggle with being afraid is really the struggle of not having all my armor in place! I need to “pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers” for God to remind me I’m protected and His army is battling it out. So when the big fears and the little fears try to creep up and take my heart by surprise I’m ready.
Like the shepherd boy, David, I can slay the giant of fear because I’ve got a God who is greater than anything Satan can throw my way. When I stay close to Him through prayer and study I am released from the petty things that get in the way of living that abundant life He promised me.
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in feeling afraid. I imagine even the spiritual greats, like Corrie ten Boom, Mother Theresa and Billy Graham were afraid once in a while. And there may be a few of you who, if we were truly honest with ourselves, get afraid from time to time as well. My prayer for all of us is that we will remember that once we give our hearts to Jesus, He fills us and provides us with all the tools necessary to get through this life, no matter how frightening it may be at times!
God made me unique, He gave me different skills and gifts that may not be like yours. But He also gave you unique skills and gifts that He would love to use for His purposes! So as I lace up my hiking boots to tackle those horse trails, I’m going to have a lovely conversation with my Maker as I enjoy the beauty He created for this day. I’m going to be brave…be kind…and be ME!
